Archaeological Heritage

Leitrim has a rich and well preserved archaeological heritage, which testifies to intense settlement in the past. An impressive collection of megalithic tombs survive, dating to the Neolithic period, and a wide range of monuments from all subsequent periods survive, including the Iron Age linear earthworks of the Black Pig’s Dyke, early medieval ringforts and Crannogs, nationally important ecclesiastical sites and sweathouses.

The Archaeological Inventory of County Leitrim includes all known archaeological monuments from prehistoric times up to 1700 AD. Mass rocks and sweathouses have also been included though most of these probably date from the post 1700 period. These sites make up the Sites and Monuments Record (SMR), which can be viewed online at archaeology.ie.

Information on monument protection, including reporting possible damage or threat to a monument and how to report an unrecorded monument can be viewed at archaeology.ie.

Information on archaeological excavations that have been carried out in the county since 1970 can be viewed at excavations.ie.